I have always loved exploring brands, trying new places, and traveling. Now, it’s part of my job.
DI Behind the Business is a dream come true. I am so excited by everything that we have in store for our readers. What better way to start this blog than with an interview with the person behind DI Behind the Business? That’s me!
While deciding who I would choose to interview me for this piece, I knew it had to be someone that I trusted to help me tell this story. There was only one person that I knew who would be able to capture my story: Cameo King of Good Girl Radio.
With a big smile, Cameo walked into the hotel where we were meeting for the interview. For anyone that knows Cameo King, you know the exact smile I reference.
Nervous, Cameo made me feel better by helping me calm down with a few expert journalist techniques.
Here we go!
Why are you so nervous?
I am so nervous because this is a big thing for me. DI Behind the Business is something that I have been working on and wanting to do for over a year now. So I am nervous because this is my baby and now it is time to launch and sit down and talk about it. The idea came about from my interest in working with different brands and wanting to be a product reviewer.
So DI Behind the Business is your baby, and you are about to talk about your baby. How does it feel knowing that you are getting ready to let people in?
It is kind of odd because I am actually putting it out there. I am actually trying something that is so out of my comfort zone. I’m taking a risk on a project that I know professional bloggers and vloggers have succeeded at so many times. I believe that anytime someone is getting ready to put something out for the world to read, listen to, and view and have an opinion about, is very scary. Are people going to like it? Is it going to be to deep? Are people going to understand the purpose of the series?
Then it is more than just the cover story. It is me actually going out and visiting businesses where I am actually introducing new trends, new products, new locations, and so much more. Wanting to learn more about the brands, we’re going to be speaking with brands and speaking with managers. I am going behind the business to learn more about these businesses and how they tick. It is a big deal for Daring Ideas.
People do this all the time, so what sets you apart, besides your personality? I know you, Patrice, and when I think of Daring Ideas, I think it really encapsulates who you are, but for those that do not know you, tell me one…piece of food that would describe you?
WOW! If I had to choose one piece of food that describes me, umm! I guess I would say pizza.
Why pizza?
Pizza is fun! Everyone loves pizza, right? You can have pizza at anytime. You can have pizza for breakfast, lunch, a snack, or dinner. It can be eaten cold, it can be eaten hot. Kids love it. Everyone loves pizza!
Coalfire Pizza Chicago IL
What is DI Behind the Business?
DI Behind the Business is a compilation of interviews and behind the scenes footage of entrepreneurs. We are in-depth with these entrepreneurs and business owners and telling the stories of the brains behind the services and products in Michigan. Later, we hope to branch out into other states.
Do you have an idea of which states you want to travel to?
Of course! But we’re not telling…yet!
If I did not know anything about DI Behind the Business and I came across one of your articles, what would you expect me to know?
I would expect for you to learn from the interview regarding the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to run a business. You hear these interviews with entrepreneurs saying that you have to work hard, you have to be the best, you have to have passion. What about the businesses that had all of those things, but then failed? What about the businesses that were forced out, or the businesses that had poor management skills? What about those businesses?
Then you have businesses that have done a very good job. How did they do it? I do not believe in cookie cutter plans that work for everyone. We are all different.
There will always be a great back story to the companies that I interview. I want readers to be engulfed. I want to leave the reader learning and wanting to learn more. I also want for people to buy products or services from the companies that we are interviewing. How are these companies benefiting their communities?
You have done a few interviews with small businesses. Why small businesses?
We want to introduce people to businesses that many people may not know about. We want to get businesses out there so that people know who they are.
Where does your passion for businesses come from?
I have always had an interest in business, ever since I was a kid. I would make mud pies and sell them. I had a candy store that I operated from my grandmother’s foyer. When I was twelve, a childhood friend and I sold bathroom decorations. We actually created inventory tracking systems, order forms, and profit and loss sheets.
I have family members that have had businesses. When I was younger, I helped my cousins with my uncle’s store. My grandmother owned a daycare. I would always ask to help her with her paper work and lesson plans. It was always the highlight of my week when she would return from conferences and she would teach me what she learned and show me all of the arts and crafts projects that she created. I mean, who enjoys things like that at the age of nine to twelve?
It was fun for me and a challenge. I am still that way. I have to have a challenge or do something creative, or else I am completely bored.
It’s in my blood, no matter how much I have tried to run from it, I find myself sitting in a coffee shop developing ideas – most of which I have never pursued.
What is it about helping people and working with entrepreneurs and organizations that you find interesting? You could have been a serial entrepreneur, but you chose to start a consulting firm. Why that specific slice of pie?
I feel as though a lot of people and their businesses are just lost. I enjoy making people happy. I have always wanted to go into business, however, I had so many other interests as well. I was an athlete, so I spent a lot of time with sports. At one point, I wanted to become a nurse; my cousin was a traveling nurse and I admired her. In fourth grade, my mother made me research sports medicine. She asked me to think about a career where I could combine medicine and sports together.
I then decided, OK, this is what I am going to do. When I was in high school, I came to Michigan State University’s (MSU) basketball camp. I injured myself and had to go to the Athletic Training (AT) room. I asked the girls there, “Hey, how did you guys get a chance to do this?” The head trainer there gave me the information for the AT program. I contacted the school the next week. When I came to MSU, I was a freshman trainer. That summer of my freshman year, I worked as an intern for the Detroit Shock. Amazing! I never gave up on my passion for business; I later went to graduate school and received my MBA from Lawrence Tech University.
How did you come up with the names Daring Ideas Consulting Engagements and DI Behind the Business?
I pondered over the name for a year. I mean, I came up with a few ideas that were outrageous – some of which I am afraid to name. I would leave a notebook on my night stand and in the middle of the night think of ideas and write them down. In the morning, I would wake up and tell my husband what I came up with. If he gave me the side eye, I knew I was off. If he stopped and paused, I knew it might have a chance (*she laughs*).
One day while watching “Ace Ventura Pet Detective,” Jim Carey’s character, Ace, said something along the lines of being daring. Something clicked. My heart stopped. I paused the TV and said, “I got it! Daring Ideas Consulting Engagements (D.I.C.E).”
My initial thought was OMG! When I was a kid, my grandmother called me a “ Dare Devil.” I was always riding my bike off the porch, jumping over large bushes, climbing trees, and trying some stunt. I had so many scrapes and bruises.
It has stuck with me. I still look for adventure and I love trying new things.
At first, I did not want to use the word consulting. It made me cringe. However, I wanted people to have an idea of what it is we do. The word engagements came from our company working with managing events.
What have been some of the struggles becoming an entrepreneur?
1. The initial struggle of doing it all on your own. I have heard people say, “You can do this all by yourself.” Yeah, you can, however, everyone is different. We are not all built the same. The worst part is people feeling bad because they are struggling on their own. Sometimes people just need a little help.
2. Managing several things at once, which goes back to doing it all yourself. I played the juggling game.
3. Trying to keep up with everyone around me. You have to do your own thing. You can’t let what other businesses are doing detour what you have to do to survive and succeed.
4. Listening to too many damn people. By the time you have gone to everyone and gotten their opinion, you are confused. You have to take small bites. Take what you need and discard the rest.
Justin McMahan Photography
You have had several male clients. As a woman, how do most of your male clients respond?
Ironically, my male clients are the easiest to work with (sorry ladies). I expected my male clients to challenge me more and to be more reluctant to change. All of my clients are different.
What did you do before starting D.I.C.E?
I have worked for several non-profit organizations. I treated my job as if it were my own business. I went above and beyond in each project I worked on. I remember telling one of my old bosses one day, “I am going to be lazy and do nothing.” He looked at me and said, “You don’t know how to be lazy.” He was right.
How do you find time to do all of the projects that you manage at once?
I am a stickler for time. Time is very important. I have a tight schedule, so I keep a to-do list and a calendar with me at all times. I am not a fan of Google Calendars. So many people tell me that I am old school. You would have a lot of convincing to do to get me to give up my Shinola calendar and Martha Stewart journal.
I also have a team that I work with on different projects.
If you could work with any business, company, or organization, who would you love to work with?
I would love to do some work with Shinola. I am obsessed and in love with Shinola. I would also have to say Office Max. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am in love with office supplies and stationary. Foodlabdetroit, I love food. April Anderson of Good Cakes and Bakes, and Hobby Lobby to name a few more.
If you could change anything about your company, what would you change?
I would create a boss team of untouchables. I would be Olivia Pope.
I’m a big dreamer. I’ve been this way all my life.